For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11

You are here

MOODS

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance” (Ps. 42:5).

It is thought that David was the writer of this scripture. Perhaps he wrote it when he was pursued by Saul or when his son Absalom rebelled against him. It seems that he reproved himself of his own downcast mood.

A mood is a frame of mind. A mood may be joyous or it can be downcast or anything between. Usually a mood is contagious. Often a mood will express itself either by an abundance of words or by being silent. Most always a mood wishes to convey the spirit of the mood to others. A joyous mood wants others to enjoy the same that it is enjoying. So by chattering or singing it hopes that others will catch the same feeling. The expression of a mood comes forth spontaneously. A mood cannot leave its feelings unexpressed.

An insulted bad mood will express itself by being silent. This silence is a message to someone else. It wants another to perceive its suffering. Sometimes a silent mood desires to bring another to contrition. By this cheerless mood it endeavors to punish someone and to bring him across.

Moods are a powerful trait of the human disposition. Sometimes a bad mood can bring on doubts and fears and even mistrust. Much can be done to bring on a mood suitable for the setting. At Thanksgiving time we enumerate the many blessings received. This helps to bring on a thankful mood. At Christmas time we retell the birth of Christ; this helps to bring on a mood of joy. At a wedding we talk about the blessings of family and this brings on a mood of gladness. In a tragedy we remember the past, and we realize that it will not be the same. This brings on a mood of sorrow. This sorrow then creates a mood of seriousness which helps to prepare for the future.

Every person is propelled by moods. The foul and grumpy moods and its causes need to be repented of and discarded. The constructive moods need to be sanctified so that they are in balance with Christian principle. A good and wholesome mood does much to enrich life.

The above scripture asks the question, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?” It is a question we need ask ourselves at times. Why all this despair? Why this inner anger? Why this wordless time? What is to be accomplished by this? What and who is the object of this mood? What will be gained? Sometimes incidence or a careless word spin us into a bad mood. But what is to be gained by a foul mood?

God is very interested in our moods, because moods have a great bearing on the spiritual health of the soul. He knows that moods can lead to action. As moods affect our relationship with other people so they also affect our relationship with God. A poor mood will interrupt our trust in God, while a right mood increases our trust and opens the way to a relationship with Him. “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God” (Ps. 42:1).